New chamber president hopes to expand broadband, businesses

The office of Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce board president will change hands for the new year with Stan Crawford stepping into the role.

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Roby Warren and Chris Hayman

Crawford will replace Clint Smith as president at the chamber's annual banquet on Friday, Jan. 28. Crawford served as president-elect last year.

"Clint's a great leader in the community, and we worked very well together," Crawford said.

Nancy Lewis, chamber executive director, said the chamber board votes in new officers every year. Chamber members can serve on the board for only six consecutive years. She said rotating officers gives more of the 360 members of the chamber an opportunity to serve on the board.

"I think it certainly attracts people with new ideas," Lewis said.

Lewis said Crawford's position at Ameren Missouri already helps him connect with people in the community, which should only benefit him as new chamber president.

"I think he will bring most definitely a business perspective, which is helpful to running the chamber," she said.

Crawford lives just outside Auxvasse and has worked at the Callaway Nuclear Plant for 30 years. He's now the plant's emergency response coordinator and works with state, county and local government agencies "to ensure the health and safety of the general public in case of any emergency at the plant."

As president this year, Crawford said he would like to work on expanding broadband Internet in the county and backing legislation that will help economic growth and job creation for Callaway County.

"In these economic times, it's been kind of tough. We've got a big job in front of us," he said.

Crawford said the possibility of the nuclear plant building a second unit is a "hopeful" time in that it would bring in more jobs and grow the community.

"As far as the chamber goes, the chamber should be a communication tool basically for the businesses in the county and economic growth in the county," he said.

Marty Martin-Forman will step in as Crawford's president-elect. She said she sees the chamber as "very community minded." She wants to be a part of "furthering local businesses."

"I'm looking forward to the economic times continuing to improve," Martin-Forman said. "I think in another year, we're going to be seeing improvements to the economy, and that will be a welcome sight."

Martin-Forman is the chief operating officer at Fulton State Hospital and has lived in the county for 30 years. She said it will be her role as president-elect to "support the new president and the agenda he sets forth for us."

"He's been a loyal member of the board, and I look forward to working with him," she said.

The terms of new officers will start at the annual chamber banquet, which will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at Auto World Museum in Fulton.